27 



methods of accomplishing this is to vary tlie fertilisation. 

 While it cannot be denied that muck has in some cases given 

 excellent results, it must be conceded that its extensive use has 

 usually been of a doubtful benefit, and has often done positive 

 injury. Grroves which have had liberal dressings of muck are 

 frequently much diseased and produce light crops ; the oranges 

 are usually coarse, thick-skinned, and sour; the productiveness 

 is often lessened by extensive premature dropping of the fruit ; 

 the tendency seems to be to bring on " die-back," a disease 

 which is of frequent occurrence in the groves heavily fertilised 

 with muck. What has been said of muck applies to a greater 

 or less extent to the various forms of organic nitrogen used. 

 The tendency of all organic manures rich in nitrogen is to produce 

 a large growth which is weak and sickly. Growth and not 

 fruit is stimulated, and the fruit resulting is usually of poor 

 quality, inclined to be large and rough, with a thick rind, and 

 abundant rag. 



Stable manure of doubtful utility. 



Barn manure is largely used by many growers, who still hold 

 to the tradition that chemical manures are injurious to the 

 plants. The benefits of barn manure in an orange grove are in 

 serious question. The fruits produced by nitrogen from this 

 source are, as above stated, usually large, coarse, thick-skinned, 

 with abundant rag, and of inferior flavour. If barn manure 

 is used — and most growers have a limited quantity and desire 

 to use what they have — it should be spread over the grove 

 lightly, so that each tree receives only a small amount. Where 

 much manure is depended upon as the main element of fertili- 

 sation, liberal dressings of potash should be occasionally 

 applied ; this will tend to correct the evils of an overbalanced 

 nitrogenous fertiliser. What has been said as to the effect of 

 muck and barn manure on the quantity of fruit applies equally 

 to the eifects produced by cotton-seed meal, blood and oone, 

 tankage, etc. 



In general, organic fertilisers do not stimulate fruiting to 

 the same extent as the mineral fertilisers. It is probably better 

 economy to apply such fertilisers to annual crops, cereals, 

 garden truck, etc. 



Mineral N"itrogen. 



The mineral nitrogen manures, nitrate of soda and sulj)hate 

 of ammonia, apparently stimulate production of fruit more than 

 organic manures, and yet promote a fair general growth. The 

 fruit produced by fertilisation with the salts, used in correct 

 proportions with the other elements which it is necessary to 

 apply, is usually of good quality, being solid, . juic}', and rich, 



